Threshold Filtering

Threshold filters, following the guidance of Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration (DEAR) are used to exclude specific results values from the SEACAR Analysis. Based on the threshold filters, Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QAQC) Flags are inserted into the SEACAR_QAQCFlagCode and SEACAR_QAQC_Description columns of the export data. The Include column indicates whether the QAQC Flag will also indicate that data are excluded from analysis. No data are excluded from the data export, but the analysis scripts can use the Include column to exclude data (1 to include, 0 to exclude).

Continuous Water Quality threshold values
Parameter Name Units Low Threshold High Threshold Sensor Type
Dissolved Oxygen mg/L 0 50 YSI EXOs
Dissolved Oxygen mg/L 0 50 Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Dissolved Oxygen mg/L 0 50 6600 Series
Salinity ppt 0 70 6600 Series
Salinity ppt 0 70 YSI EXOs
Salinity ppt 0 70 Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Water Temperature Degrees C -5 45 YSI EXOs
Water Temperature Degrees C -5 45 Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Water Temperature Degrees C -5 45 6600 Series
pH pH 2 14 Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
pH pH 2 14 6600 Series
pH pH 2 14 YSI EXOs
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation % 0 500 YSI EXOs
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation % 0 500 6600 Series
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation % 0 500 Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Specific Conductivity mS/cm 0 100 6600 Series
Specific Conductivity mS/cm 0 200 YSI EXOs
Turbidity NTU 0 4000 YSI EXOs
Turbidity NTU 0 1000 6600 Series
Turbidity NTU 0 4000 Analysis Only - 2022-04-04
Discrete Water Quality threshold values
Parameter Name Units Low Threshold High Threshold
Dissolved Oxygen mg/L 0.000001 22
Salinity ppt 0 70
Water Temperature Degrees C 3 40
pH 2 13
Dissolved Oxygen Saturation % 0.000001 310
Specific Conductivity mS/cm 0.005000001 100
Turbidity NTU 0 -
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) mg/L 0 -
Chlorophyll a uncorrected for pheophytin ug/L 0 -
Chlorophyll a corrected for pheophytin ug/L 0 -
Secchi Depth m 0.000001 50
Light Extinction Coefficient m^1 0 -
Colored dissolved organic matter, CDOM PCU 0 -
Fluorescent dissolved organic matter, FDOM QSE 0 -
Total Nitrogen mg/L 0 -
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen TKN mg/L 0 -
NO2+3 Filtered mg/L 0 -
NH4 Filtered mg/L 0 -
Total Phosphorus mg/L 0 -
PO4 Filtered mg/L 0 -
Ammonia- Un-ionized (NH3) mg/L 0 -
Nitrate (N) mg/L 0 -
Nitrite (N) mg/L 0 -
Nitrogen, organic mg/L 0 -
Quality Assurance Flags inserted based on threshold checks listed in Table 1 & 2
SEACAR QAQC Description Include SEACAR QAQCFlagCode
Exceeds Maximum threshold. Not verified in raw data No 2Q
Exceeds Maximum threshold. Verified in raw data No 3Q
Below Minimum threshold. Not verified in raw data No 4Q
Below Minimum threshold. Verified in raw data No 5Q
Within threshold tolerance Yes 6Q
No defined thresholds for this parameter Yes 7Q

Value Qualifiers

Value qualifier codes included within the data are used to exclude certain results from the analysis. The data are retained in the data export files, but the analysis uses the Include column to filter the results.

STORET and WIN value qualifier codes

Value qualifier codes from STORET and WIN data are examined with the database and used to populate the Include column in data exports.

Value Qualifier codes excluded from analysis
Qualifier Source Value Qualifier Include MDL Description
STORET-WIN H No 0 Value based on field kit determination; results may not be accurate
STORET-WIN J No 0 Estimated value
STORET-WIN V No 0 Analyte was detected at or above method detection limit
STORET-WIN Y No 0

Discrete Water Quality Value Qualifiers

The following value qualifiers are highlighted in the Discrete Water Quality section of this report. An exception is made for Program 476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network and data flagged with Value Qualifier H are included for this program only.

H - Value based on field kit determiniation; results may not be accurate. This code shall be used if a field screening test (e.g., field gas chromatograph data, immunoassay, or vendor-supplied field kit) was used to generate the value and the field kit or method has not been recognized by the Department as equivalent to laboratory methods.

I - The reported value is greater than or equal to the laboratory method detection limit but less than the laboratory practical quantitation limit.

Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time. This code shall be used if the value is derived from a sample that was prepared or analyzed after the approved holding time restrictions for sample preparation or analysis.

S - Secchi disk visible to bottom of waterbody. The value reported is the depth of the waterbody at the location of the Secchi disk measurement.

U - Indicates that the compound was analyzed for but not detected. This symbol shall be used to indicate that the specified component was not detected. The value associated with the qualifier shall be the laboratory method detection limit. Unless requested by the client, less than the method detection limit values shall not be reported

Systemwide Monitoring Program (SWMP) value qualifier codes

Value qualifier codes from the SWMP continuous program are examined with the database and used to populate the Include column in data exports. SWMP Qualifier Codes are indicated by QualifierSource=SWMP.

SWMP Value Qualifier codes
Qualifier Source Value Qualifier Include Description
SWMP -1 Yes Optional parameter not collected
SWMP -2 No Missing data
SWMP -3 No Data rejected due to QA/QC
SWMP -4 No Outside low sensor range
SWMP -5 No Outside high sensor range
SWMP 0 Yes Passed initial QA/QC checks
SWMP 1 No Suspect data
SWMP 2 Yes Reserved for future use
SWMP 3 Yes
SWMP 4 Yes Historical: Pre-auto QA/QC
SWMP 5 Yes Corrected data

Water Column

The water column habitat extends from the surface of all water bodies to the bottom sediments and encompasses the different features found in the water at different depths (National Oceanographic Center, 2016). The water column habitat must be viewed in relation to its interconnectedness with other habitats. A healthy water column is an integral component in ensuring a healthy marine and coastal ecosystem. Having a flourishing marine and coastal ecosystem in Florida is necessary to support a strong economy. The health of the water column is dependent upon factors as diverse as land use (e.g., agriculture, mining, forestry practices); human population growth; emissions, (e.g., power plants, automobiles, wastewater); climate (e.g., rainfall, temperature, winds and currents); and decadal trends (e.g., El Niño/La Niña, Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, climate change).

The water column is composed of various physical, chemical and biological features, and only a small number of them are adequately monitored. Features of the water column that are monitored are used as indicators of the water column health and help assess the status of other habitats. These indicators include nutrient concentrations (nitrogen and phosphorus); water quality (dissolved oxygen, temperature, salinity and pH); water clarity (Secchi depth, turbidity, chlorophyll-a and colored dissolved organic matter); and nekton (fish, macroinvertebrates and megafauna).

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Analysis

Indicators must have a minimum of five to ten years, depending on the habitat, of data within the geographic range of the analysis to be included in the analysis. Ten years of data are required for discrete parameters, and five years of data are required for continuous parameters. If there are insufficient years of data, the number of years of data available will be noted and labeled as “insufficient data to conduct analysis”. Further, for the preferred Seasonal Kendall-Tau test, there must be data from at least two months in common across at least two consecutive years within the RCP managed area being analyzed. Values that pass both of these tests will be included in the analysis and be labeled as Use_In_Analysis = TRUE. Any that fail either test will be excluded from the analyses and labeled as Use_In_Analysis = FALSE.

Water Quality - Discrete

The following files were used in the discrete analysis:

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Chlorophyll_a_corrected_for_pheophytin-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Chlorophyll_a_uncorrected_for_pheophytin-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Colored_dissolved_organic_matter_CDOM-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Dissolved_Oxygen-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Dissolved_Oxygen_Saturation-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_pH-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Salinity-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Secchi_Depth-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Nitrogen-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Phosphorus-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Suspended_Solids_TSS-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Turbidity-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Water_Temperature-2024-Feb-22.txt

Chlorophyll a, Corrected for Pheophytin - Discrete Water Quality

Chlorophyll-a is monitored as a measure of microalgae growing in the water. Algae are a natural part of coastal and aquatic ecosystems but in excess can cause poor water quality and clarity, and decreased levels of dissolved oxygen.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Chlorophyll a, Corrected for Pheophytin
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Chlorophyll a, Corrected for Pheophytin
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 965 2001 2023
303 598 2019 2023
476 331 2008 2023
103 115 2020 2021
513 38 2006 2023

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
303 - River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network
476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network

Value Qualifiers

  • N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
  • N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
  • perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total
Value Qualifiers for Chlorophyll a, Corrected for Pheophytin
Year N_Total N_I perc_I N_Q perc_Q N_U perc_U
2005 28 20 71.4
2006 5 5 100.0
2007 17 2 11.8 1 5.9
2008 42 10 23.8
2009 22 8 36.4 3 13.6 1 4.6
2010 39 11 28.2 6 15.4 1 2.6
2011 16 5 31.2 5 31.2
2012 8 4 50.0 4 50.0
2013 7 4 57.1
2014 7 3 42.9 2 28.6
2015 8 7 87.5
2016 6 3 50.0
2017 29 2 6.9 1 3.5
2018 169 58 34.3
2019 329 71 21.6 3 0.9
2020 332 49 14.8 1 0.3 5 1.5
2021 439 91 20.7 6 1.4
2022 335 103 30.8 16 4.8 24 7.2
2023 165 64 38.8 1 0.6 34 20.6

Note: 1I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit 2Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time 3U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network
303 - River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network

Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin - Discrete Water Quality

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
509 348 1999 2008
476 324 1999 2023
103 225 2002 2022
5002 81 2001 2021
115 4 2002 2004
118 1 2006 2006

Program names:

509 - SERC Water Quality Monitoring Network
476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
118 - National Aquatic Resource Surveys, National Coastal Condition Assessment

Value Qualifiers

  • N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
  • N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
  • perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total
Value Qualifiers for Chlorophyll a, Uncorrected for Pheophytin
Year N_Total N_I perc_I N_Q perc_Q N_U perc_U
1999 48 3 6.2
2000 51 2 3.9
2001 84 13 15.5
2003 42 4 9.5
2004 46 1 2.2 8 17.4
2005 51 4 7.8 8 15.7
2006 44 3 6.8
2007 67 24 35.8 2 3.0
2008 37 7 18.9 1 2.7
2018 28 1 3.6
2019 39 7 18.0
2020 60 7 11.7 2 3.3
2021 234 4 1.7
2022 51 8 15.7 3 5.9
2023 21 3 14.3

Note: 1I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit 2Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time 3U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN

Colored Dissolved Organic Matter - Discrete Water Quality

Colored Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) occurs naturally in every water body. It is made up of mainly plant material, algae and bacteria. The composition is determined by its source; plants, soil, algae, and wastewater are common sources.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Colored Dissolved Organic Matter
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Colored Dissolved Organic Matter
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 870 2018 2023
476 233 2017 2023
513 41 2007 2023
514 35 2001 2002

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network
514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program

Value Qualifiers

  • N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
  • N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
  • perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total
Value Qualifiers for Colored Dissolved Organic Matter
Year N_Total N_I perc_I N_Q perc_Q N_U perc_U
2007 6 4 66.7 2 33.3
2008 5 2 40.0 3 60.0
2017 26 1 3.9 1 3.9
2018 169 51 30.2 10 5.9
2019 186 70 37.6 13 7.0
2020 172 69 40.1 15 8.7
2021 209 71 34.0 12 5.7
2022 207 43 20.8 3 1.4 28 13.5
2023 164 38 23.2 12 7.3

Note: 1I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit 2Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time 3U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network

Dissolved Oxygen - Discrete Water Quality

Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is a key indicator of water quality. Oxygen enters surface waters by air-sea gas exchange, by wind action, or as a byproduct of aquatic plant photosynthesis. The actual quantity of DO in aquatic environments is dependent on the above processes as well as water temperature and salinity.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Dissolved Oxygen
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Dissolved Oxygen
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
69 15947 1990 2017
5002 9353 1987 2023
95 1490 1985 2018
509 696 1999 2008
476 323 2008 2023
103 221 2003 2022
303 61 2019 2020
513 12 2023 2023
115 11 2002 2004
118 1 2006 2006

Program names:

69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
509 - SERC Water Quality Monitoring Network
476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
303 - River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network
513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
118 - National Aquatic Resource Surveys, National Coastal Condition Assessment

Value Qualifiers

  • N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
  • N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
  • perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total
Value Qualifiers for Dissolved Oxygen
Year N_Total N_H perc_H
2008 1463 20 1.4

Note: 1H - Value based on field kit determination

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network

Dissolved Oxygen Saturation - Discrete Water Quality

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Dissolved Oxygen Saturation
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Dissolved Oxygen Saturation
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 1140 2014 2023
303 456 2019 2023
476 185 2017 2023
513 12 2023 2023
95 2 2016 2016

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
303 - River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network
476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Dissolved Oxygen Saturation in Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve

pH - Discrete Water Quality

The pH of water is the measure of how acidic or basic the water body is on a scale of 0-14, with lower readings indicating acidic and higher readings indicating basic, and a pH of 7 being neutral. Florida’s natural waters fall between 6.5 and 8.5 on this scale. A water body’s pH can change due to precipitation, geology, vegetation, water pollution and air pollution.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for pH
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for pH
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
69 15789 1991 2017
5002 7132 1987 2023
95 1405 1955 2018
303 403 2019 2023
103 291 2020 2022
509 270 2001 2008
476 265 2009 2023
513 12 2023 2023
115 11 2002 2004

Program names:

69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
303 - River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
509 - SERC Water Quality Monitoring Network
476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for pH in Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve

Salinity - Discrete Water Quality

Salinity is a measure of the amount of salt in the water. In estuarine ecosystems, salinity is influenced by precipitation, evaporation, surface-water inputs, and exchange with coastal waters.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Salinity
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Salinity
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
69 16066 1990 2017
5002 6187 1995 2023
95 2881 1954 2018
509 702 1999 2008
303 480 2019 2023
476 224 2016 2023
456 71 1970 2012
118 20 2015 2020
115 11 2002 2004
103 1 2004 2004

Program names:

69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
509 - SERC Water Quality Monitoring Network
303 - River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network
476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
456 - Oyster Sentinel
118 - National Aquatic Resource Surveys, National Coastal Condition Assessment
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Salinity in Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve

Secchi Depth - Discrete Water Quality

Secchi depth is a measure of the transparency or clarity of the water by a device called a Secchi disk. A Secchi disk is a black and white disk that is lowered into the water on a cord. The Secchi depth is the depth at which the disk can no longer be seen. The deeper the Secchi depth, the greater the water clarity.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Secchi Depth
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Secchi Depth
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
69 15774 1994 2017
476 222 2017 2023
5002 108 2005 2023
103 69 2020 2022
514 53 2001 2002
115 3 2002 2004
303 2 2019 2019

Program names:

69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
303 - River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network

Value Qualifiers

  • N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
  • N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
  • perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total
Value Qualifiers for Secchi Depth
Year N_Total N_S perc_S
2017 843 5 0.6
2018 28 6 21.4
2019 42 16 38.1
2020 44 12 27.3
2021 124 17 13.7
2022 66 19 28.8
2023 44 12 27.3

Note: 1S - Secchi disk visible to bottom of waterbody

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN

Total Nitrogen - Discrete Water Quality

Nitrogen and Phosphorous are key nutrients that provide nourishment essential for the growth and maintenance of aquatic plants and animals; however, excess nutrients can cause harmful algal blooms and other water quality concerns. Nutrients enter water bodies several ways, including runoff from rain events and atmospheric deposition from natural and industrial sources.

Total Nitrogen Calculation:

The logic for calculated Total Nitrogen was provided by Kevin O’Donnell and colleagues at FDEP (with the help of Jay Silvanima, Watershed Monitoring Section). The following logic is used, in this order, based on the availability of specific nitrogen components.

  1. TN = TKN + NO3O2;
  2. TN = TKN + NO3 + NO2;
  3. TN = ORGN + NH4 + NO3O2;
  4. TN = ORGN + NH4 + NO2 + NO3;
  5. TN = TKN + NO3;
  6. TN = ORGN + NH4 + NO3;

Additional Information:

  • Rules for use of sample fraction:
    • FDEP report that if both “Total” and “Dissolved” are reported, only “Total” is used. If the total is not reported, they do use dissolved as a best available replacement.
    • An analysis of all SEACAR data shows that 90% of all possible TN calculations can be done using nitrogen components with the same sample fraction, rather than use nitrogen components with mixed total/dissolved sample fractions. In other words, TN can be calculated when TKN and NO3O2 are both total sample fraction, or when both are dissolved sample fraction. This is important, because then the calculated TN value is not based on components with mixed sample fractions.
  • Values inserted into data:
    • ParameterName = “Total Nitrogen”
    • SEACAR_QAQCFlagCode = “1Q”
    • SEACAR_QAQC_Description = “SEACAR Calculated”
      Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
      Discrete Water Quality
      Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Total Nitrogen
      Discrete Water Quality
      The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site
Programs contributing data for Total Nitrogen
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 2890 1995 2023
303 401 2019 2023
509 351 1999 2008
476 338 1998 2023
514 59 2001 2002
103 42 2002 2006
513 42 2006 2023
115 4 2002 2004

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
303 - River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network
509 - SERC Water Quality Monitoring Network
476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program

Value Qualifiers

  • N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
  • N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
  • perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total
Value Qualifiers for Total Nitrogen
Year N_Total N_I perc_I N_Q perc_Q N_U perc_U
1997 15 5 33.3
1998 23 10 43.5
1999 62 10 16.1
2001 185 11 6.0
2003 121 2 1.6
2004 169 2 1.2 1 0.6
2005 198 24 12.1
2006 180 73 40.6 8 4.4
2007 191 50 26.2 14 7.3
2008 198 25 12.6 3 1.5
2009 159 49 30.8 24 15.1
2011 126 24 19.0 17 13.5
2012 98 9 9.2 3 3.1
2013 77 9 11.7 11 14.3
2014 152 22 14.5 5 3.3
2015 102 5 4.9 2 2.0
2020 276 1 0.4
2021 329 1 0.3

Note: 1I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit 2Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time 3U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
303 - River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network

Total Phosphorus - Discrete Water Quality

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Total Phosphorus
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Total Phosphorus
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 1066 2005 2023
476 501 1998 2023
303 386 2019 2023
509 348 1999 2008
103 293 2002 2022
514 59 2001 2002
513 42 2006 2023
115 4 2002 2004

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
303 - River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network
509 - SERC Water Quality Monitoring Network
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
514 - Florida LAKEWATCH Program
513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program

Value Qualifiers

  • N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
  • N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
  • perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total
Value Qualifiers for Total Phosphorus
Year N_Total N_I perc_I N_Q perc_Q N_U perc_U
1998 3 3 100.0
1999 47 10 21.3
2000 42 1 2.4 3 7.1
2001 76 5 6.6
2002 94 20 21.3
2003 47 3 6.4
2004 65 11 16.9 8 12.3
2005 105 45 42.9 1 0.9
2006 94 49 52.1 2 2.1
2007 89 39 43.8 1 1.1
2008 66 5 7.6
2009 32 1 3.1
2010 24 5 20.8
2011 25 7 28.0
2012 13 4 30.8
2013 14 6 42.9
2014 13 3 23.1
2015 12 2 16.7
2016 12 4 33.3
2018 169 31 18.3 10 5.9
2019 270 57 21.1 1 0.4
2020 304 66 21.7 1 0.3
2021 562 81 14.4 10 1.8 7 1.2
2022 308 44 14.3 2 0.7 3 1.0
2023 184 12 6.5 3 1.6

Note: 1I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit 2Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time 3U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
303 - River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network

Total Suspended Solids - Discrete Water Quality

Total Suspended Solids (TSS) are solid particles suspended in water that exceed 2 microns in size and can be trapped by a filter.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Total Suspended Solids
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Total Suspended Solids
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 2513 1987 2023
103 115 2020 2021
513 30 2018 2023

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network

Value Qualifiers

  • N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
  • N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
  • perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total
Value Qualifiers for Total Suspended Solids
Year N_Total N_I perc_I N_Q perc_Q N_U perc_U
2003 54 19 35.2 8 14.8
2004 112 36 32.1 5 4.5
2005 115 2 1.7
2007 153 7 4.6
2008 171 14 8.2 5 2.9 2 1.2
2009 154 5 3.2
2011 123 1 0.8
2012 91 1 1.1
2014 145 1 0.7
2018 141 1 0.7 1 0.7
2019 147 15 10.2
2020 153 13 8.5
2021 253 1 0.4 2 0.8
2022 152 2 1.3
2023 130 1 0.8 1 0.8

Note: 1I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit 2Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time 3U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN

Turbidity - Discrete Water Quality

Turbidity results from suspended solids in the water, including silts, clays, tannins, industrial wastes, sewage and plankton, which are all factors that contribute to how clouded or murky a water column is. Turbidity is caused by soil erosion, excess nutrients, pollutants, and physical forces such as winds, currents and bottom feeders.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Turbidity
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Turbidity
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
5002 6584 1995 2023
303 453 2019 2023
476 413 1999 2023
509 348 1999 2008
103 252 2006 2022
513 31 2006 2023

Program names:

5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
303 - River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network
476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
509 - SERC Water Quality Monitoring Network
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network

Value Qualifiers

  • N_Total is total amount of data for a given year
  • N_ is the total amount of values flagged with the respective value qualifier in a given year
  • perc_ is the percent of data flagged with the respective value qualifier as a proportion of N_Total
Value Qualifiers for Turbidity
Year N_Total N_I perc_I N_Q perc_Q N_U perc_U
2000 453 5 1.1
2003 365 10 2.7
2004 319 21 6.6 1 0.3
2006 341 11 3.2
2007 326 2 0.6
2009 318 3 0.9
2010 324 4 1.2
2011 302 3 1.0
2012 162 4 2.5
2014 144 2 1.4
2018 169 31 18.3 21 12.4
2019 305 17 5.6 27 8.8
2020 359 29 8.1 3 0.8
2021 482 31 6.4
2022 330 2 0.6 3 0.9
2023 182 12 6.6

Note: 1I - Reported value is greater than or equal to lab method detection limit, but less than quantitation limit 2Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time 3U - Compound was analyzed for but not detected

Programs containing Value Qualified data:

476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network

Water Temperature - Discrete Water Quality

Temperature determines the capacity of water to hold oxygen. Cooler water can hold more dissolved oxygen because water molecules are more tightly packed, making it harder for oxygen to escape. Additionally, as water temperature increases, fish and other aquatic organisms become more active and consume oxygen at a faster rate.

Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Discrete Water Quality
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Water Temperature
Discrete Water Quality
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site

Programs contributing data for Water Temperature
ProgramID N_Data YearMin YearMax
69 16060 1990 2017
5002 9404 1987 2023
95 2554 1954 2018
509 702 1999 2008
303 465 2019 2023
103 293 2004 2022
476 223 2017 2023
456 71 1970 2012
513 12 2023 2023
115 11 2002 2004

Program names:

69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
509 - SERC Water Quality Monitoring Network
303 - River, Estuary and Coastal Observing Network
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network
456 - Oyster Sentinel
513 - Coastal Charlotte Harbor Monitoring Network
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program

There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Water Temperature in Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve

Water Quality - Continuous

The following files were used in the continuous analysis:

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Dissolved_Oxygen_SW-2024-Feb-23.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Dissolved_Oxygen_Saturation_SW-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_pH_SW-2024-Feb-23.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Salinity_SW-2024-Feb-23.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Turbidity_SW-2024-Feb-22.txt

  • Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_cont_Water_Temperature_SW-2024-Feb-23.txt

Continuous Water Quality
Map showing Continuous Water Quality Monitoring sampling locations within the boundaries of Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve. Sites marked as Use In Analysis are featured in this report.

Submerged Aquatic Vegetation

The data file used is: All_SAV_Parameters-2024-Feb-23.txt

Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) refers to plants and plant-like macroalgae species that live entirely underwater. The two primary categories of SAV inhabiting Florida estuaries are benthic macroalgae and seagrasses. They often grow together in dense beds or meadows that carpet the seafloor. Macroalgae include multicellular species of green, red and brown algae that often live attached to the substrate by a holdfast. They tend to grow quickly and can tolerate relatively high nutrient levels, making them a threat to seagrasses and other benthic habitats in areas with poor water quality. In contrast, seagrasses are grass-like, vascular, flowering plants that are attached to the seafloor by extensive root systems. Seagrasses occur throughout the coastal areas of Florida, including protected bays and lagoons as well as deeper offshore waters on the continental shelf. Seagrasses have taken advantage of the broad, shallow shelf and clear water to produce two of the most extensive seagrass beds anywhere in continental North America.

Parameters

Percent Cover measures the fraction of an area of seafloor that is covered by SAV, usually estimated by evaluating multiple small areas of seafloor. Percent cover is often estimated for total SAV, individual types of vegetation (seagrass, attached algae, drift algae) and individual species.

Frequency of Occurrence was calculated as the number of times a taxon was observed in a year divided by the number of sampling events, multiplied by 100. Analysis is conducted at the quadrat level and is inclusive of all quadrats (i.e., quadrats evaluated using Braun-Blanquet, modified Braun-Blanquet, and percent cover.”

Species

Turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) is the largest of the Florida seagrasses, with longer, thicker blades and deeper root structures than any of the other seagrasses. It is considered a climax seagrass species.

Shoal grass (Halodule wrightii) is an early colonizer of vegetated areas and usually grows in water too shallow for other species except widgeon grass. It can often tolerate larger salinity ranges than other seagrass species. Shoal grass is characterized by thin, flat blades, that are narrower than turtle grass blades.

Manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme) is easily recognizable because its leaves are thin and cylindrical instead of the flat, ribbon-like form shared by many other seagrass species. The leaves can grow up to half a meter in length. Manatee grass is usually found in mixed seagrass beds or small, dense monospecific patches.

Widgeon grass (Ruppia maritima) grows in both fresh and salt water and is widely distributed throughout Florida’s estuaries in less saline areas, particularly in inlets along the east coast. This species resembles shoal grass in certain environments but can be identified by the pointed tips of its leaves.

Three species of Halophila spp. are found in Florida - Star grass (Halophila engelmannii), Paddle grass (Halophila decipiens), and Johnson’s seagrass (Halophila johnsonii). These are smaller, more fragile seagrasses than other Florida species and are considered ephemeral. They grow along a single long rhizome, with short blades. These species are not well-studied, although surveys are underway to define their ecological roles.

Notes

Star grass, Paddle grass, and Johnson’s seagrass will be grouped together and listed as Halophila spp. in the following managed areas. This is because several surveys did not specify to the species level:

  • Banana River Aquatic Preserve

  • Indian River-Malabar to Vero Beach Aquatic Preserve

  • Indian River-Vero Beach to Ft. Pierce Aquatic Preserve

  • Jensen Beach to Jupiter Inlet Aquatic Preserve

  • Loxahatchee River-Lake Worth Creek Aquatic Preserve

  • Mosquito Lagoon Aquatic Preserve

  • Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve

  • Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

SAV - Temporal Scope
Maps showing the temporal scope of SAV sampling sites within the boundaries of Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve by Program name.

Sampling locations by Program:

SAV - Sampling Map
Map showing SAV sampling sites within the boundaries of Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve. The point size reflects the number of samples at a given sampling site.

Charlotte Harbor Seagrass Monitoring - Program 570
N_Data YearMin YearMax Collection Method Sample Locations
3078 1998 2022 Braun Blanquet 12
SCCF Seagrass Surveys - Program 3015
N_Data YearMin YearMax Collection Method Sample Locations
2639 2010 2022 Percent Occurrence 12
SAV
Median percent cover by species in Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve. Linear mixed-effects models are applied to each species to produce species trends. The trendlines are then isolated and reproduced below for ease of viewing. The LME results are available in table form beneath the supplemental trendplot below.
SAV
SAV
SAV

SAV
Generalized additive models for each species in Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve. Species must have at least 10 years of data to be evaluated.

Drift algae, Total seagrass, Attached algae, and Total SAV are excluded from the analyses.